Reciprocating channel floor conveyor

ABSTRACT

A plurality of floor members (40, 58, 106) are supported on guide beams (16, 18, 60, 102). The guide beams (16, 18, 60, 102) are spaced apart such that the floor members (40, 58, 106) have spaces between their side portions. The guide beams (16, 18, 60, 102) have oppositely directed flanges (26, 78, 80, 112, 114) secured to their tops. Bearing members (30, 116) slip over these flanges and rest on top of the guide beams (16, 18, 60, 102). Bottom members (20, 64, 98) extend laterally between the guide beams (16, 18, 60, 102), to form channels in the regions between the floor members (40, 58, 106). In one embodiment, refrigerated air is directed through these channels. In a second embodiment, the channel is used to collect small particles of ice and ice water. In a third embodiment, garbage is allowed to enter into the channel space. The sidewalls (108, 110) of the floor members (106) engage this garbage and move it when the floor members (106) are moving and hold it when the floor members (106) are stationary. The floor in which refrigerated air is circulated through the channels, and the floor in which small ice particles and ice water are collected in the channels, is set on an insulated base. The garbage conveying floor may be set on an incline, for lifting garbage up from a lower level to an elevated level above the open top of a container (92) provided for collecting the garbage (96).

DESCRIPTION TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to reciprocating floor conveyors of a type havinglaterally spaced apart floor members and channel regions between thefloor members. The invention also relates to a method of using such afloor for conveying a load within a refrigerated compartment, to amethod of using such a floor for conveying particle ice, and to a methodof using such floor for conveying garbage.

BACKGROUND ART

Reciprocating floor conveyors are presently being used in a number ofenvironments. The are being installed as floors in the bottoms of largetrucks and trailers, for use in both loading and unloading cargo. Theyare also being used as floors in stationary installations.

Heretofore, in most conveyors of this type seals have been provided toseal the spaces between adjacent floor members. A typical type of sealarrangement is disclosed by FIG. 6 of U.S. Pat. No. 4,144,963.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,144,963 also discloses a conveyor which is adapted tofunction as a particle .[.separater.]. .Iadd.separator.Iaddend.. Thisconveyor does not include seals between adjacent floor members. Thefloor members are constructed to taper from regions in which they areclose together to regions whereat spaces are provided between them. Thespacing between adjacent floor members increases progressively towardsthe outward end of the conveyor. Accordingly, by the reciprocativemotion of the floor members, particulate material of diverse sizesdeposited on the infeed end of the conveyor progresses towards theoutfeed .Iadd.end .Iaddend.and falls by gravity through the variablespacing between adjacent floor members. In this manner, smaller sizes ofparticulate material will be separated adjacent the infeed end of theconveyor, whereat the spacing between adjacent slats is at a minimum.The large sizes of particulate material will be separated adjacent theoutfeed end of the conveyor whereat the spacing between adjacent slatsis at a maximum.

An object of the present invention is to provide a conveyor constructionin which the floor members are parallel to each other and between whichspaces and channel regions are provided for a plurality of diversepurposes.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,905,290, granted Sept. 16, 1975, to Robert A. Caughey,discloses various arrangements of a reciprocating slat conveyor forconveying particulate material into and through a press. Some forms ofthe conveyor utilize right angle oriented surfaces on separate slatmembers for moving the material. An object of the present invention isto utilize right angle related surfaces on a single floor member formoving material. Specifically, the upper and side surfaces of laterallyspaced apart from members are used to move material (e.g. garbage) whichis located both on top of and between the floor members. Thisarrangement solves the problem of providing a floor which can move veryabrasive material, such as garbage, without the need of providing a sealbetween adjacent floor members. The seals are omitted, and the spacesbetween adjacent floor members are enlarged, and are used in the schemeof operation of the conveyor.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

Basically, the present invention is characterized by a plurality oflaterally spaced apart support beams, each of which supports a separatefloor member for longitudinal reciprocation. The floor members arelaterally spaced apart and channel spaces are defined between adjacentfloor members.

In accordance with an aspect of the invention, upper portions of theguide beams are provided with laterally projecting flanges. Bearings areprovided which fit onto these flanges. The bearings include upperportions which set down on top of the guide beams, lower flanges whichare situated below the guide beam flanges, and interconnecting webswhich are situated outwardly of the adjacent edges of the guide beamflanges.

In accordance with an aspect of the invention, the floor members havetop walls which set down on top of the bearings. The floor membersinclude sidewalls which depend downwardly from the opposite ends of thetop walls, outwardly adjacent the web portions of the bearings. Thefloor members include inwardly projecting flanges which underlie thelower portions of the bearings.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the guide beams andbottom members between the guide beams are integral parts of extrudedmetal shapes. The metal shapes having interfitting lock edges by whichthey are joined to form a continuous pattern of guide beams and channelsbetween guide beams, across the full width of the floor.

In accordance with yet another aspect of the invention, the flanges onthe floor members are segments spaced apart to provide spaces betweenthe segments. The flanges on the guide beams are also segments spacedapart to provide spaces between such segments. The floor member isinstalled onto and removed off from its guide beam by aligning itsflanges with the spaces between the flanges on the guide beams. At thesame time, this aligns the flanges on the guide beam with the spacesbetween the flanges on the floor member. The floor member is then simplymoved vertically, either downwardly onto the bearings or upwardly upfrom the bearings. After installation, the floor member is movedlongitudinally to place its flange segments below the bearing carryingflange segments of the guide beam. This interference positioning of thetwo sets of flanges prevents the floor member from being inadvertentlyremoved fom the guide beam.

In accordance with a method aspect of the invention, the reciprocatingfloor conveyor is constructed on an insulative base and serves as afloor for a compartment or room that will be refrigerated. A load isplaced on top of the floor members and refrigerated air is circulatedthrough the channels defined through the floor members. The refrigeratedair flows through the channels and upwardly through the spaces betweenthe floor members into contact with the load.

In accordance with another method aspect of the invention, areciprocating floor conveyor is mounted onto an insulative base and isused for conveying particle ice. The floor members are spaced relativelyclose together so that a space is defined which is smaller than at leastmost of the ice particles. The channels between the floor members areused for collecting ice water and very small ice particles and conveyingthem away from the body of particle ice on the conveyor.

In accordance with yet another method aspect of the invention,relatively wide spacing between adjacent floor members is used. Thefloor is mounted onto a concrete pad or other substantial base and isused for receiving and conveying garbage. Floor members, guide beams andbearings are used which are capable of carrying heavy loads, so thatgarbage trucks can be driven out onto the floor. The spaces betweenadjacent floor members are narrower than the tires of the garbagetrucks. However, they are wide enough that garbage material can fit downinto the spaces. The sidewalls of the floor members are relatively deepand provide surfaces of substantial area in contact with the garbage inthe spaces between adjacent floor members. These side surfaces of thefloor members serve to frictionally grip and move the garbage, as thefloor members are being moved, or hold the garbage, as the floor membersare being held stationary. Garbage is particularly tough on sealmaterial and would very quickly abrade away any seal provided betweenadjacent floor members. This construction of providing a relativelylarge space between adjacent floor members, and allowing the garbage toenter the space, results in a relatively clean floor without the needfor seals. The garbage between the side surfaces of adjacent floormembers is quite efficiently moved by the floor members. Accordingly,the channel spaces between floor members are not left full of garbage.Whatever little garbage remains, can easily be washed out by use ofwater from a hose.

Additional objects, features and advantages of the invention are setforth in the description of the preferred embodiments. Such descriptionof the preferred embodiments, and the claims which follow thedescription of the illustrated embodiments, both constitute additionalportions of the description of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Like reference numerals are used throughout the several views of thedrawings to designate like parts, and:

FIG. 1 is a pictorial view taken from above and towards one side of afragmentary portion of a reciprocating floor conveyor constructed inaccordance with the present invention, showing a pair of bearing membersspaced out from their positions on upper flange portions of a guidebeam, and showing other bearing members omitted, and parts of the floormembers cut away, for clarity of illustration of the manner in which thefloor members are supported;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of a reciprocating floor conveyor constructedin accordance with the present invention, in its start position;

FIG. 3 is a view like FIG. 2, but showing all of the floor membersadvanced to an advanced position;

FIG. 4 is a view like FIGS. 2 and 3, but showing floor members "2" and"3" stationary and floor members "1" being retracted to the startposition;

FIG. 5 is a view like FIGS. 2-4, but showing floor members "1" and "3"stationary and floor members "2" being retracted back to the startposition;

FIG. 6 is a view like FIGS. 2-5, showing floor members "1" and "2"stationary and floor members "3" being retracted back to the startposition;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken through a portion ofthe floor shown by FIG. 1, with a foreground portion of a support beamcut away to show a plank of heat insulation material that is located inthe space between such beam and another beam spaced from it;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged scale fragmentary view of the upper portion of asupport beam, with fragmentary portions of two bearing members beingspaced above such support beam;

FIG. 9 is a view like FIG. 8, but showing one of the bearing membersinstalled, and the other in the process of becoming installed;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a modified form of floor, with amidsection of the floor being cut away, to indicate an indeterminatewidth of the floor such view showing a manner of constructing sideboundary portions of the floor, and showing particle ice on the floorover a space between adjacent floor members, and showing water beingcollected in a channel provided below such space, for carrying away thewater and small ice particles;

FIG. 11 is a longitudinal sectional view of a floor member and a guidebeam, showing a construction of the floor member, the guide beam andbearing members which will allow the floor member to be installedvertically downwardly and removed vertically upwardly from the guidebeams, such view showing inwardly projecting flange portions of thefloor members in vertical alignment with open spaces provided betweenoutwardly projecting flange segments on the guide beams;

FIG. 12 is a view like FIG. 11, but showing the floor member shifted inposition to place its flange segments below the flange segments of theguide beam, such view representing the in use position of the floormember;

FIG. 13 is a diagrammatic view of a reciprocating floor conveyor mountedonto an upwardly sloping surface, and showing a container space below adischarge level at the upper end of the sloping surface, and furthershowing the rear portion of a garbage truck .[.deposition.]..Iadd.depositing .Iaddend.garbage onto the floor, to be conveyed up theslope and discharged into the container; and

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the floor shown by FIGS. 11-19,showing garbage on the floor members and in the space between adjacentfloor members;

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along line 15--15of FIGS. 12 and 16, showing the floor members spaced vertically abovethe guide beam;

FIG. 16 is a pictorial view taken from above and one side of afragmentary portion of the floor shown by FIGS. 11-14, with the floormembers shown spaced vertically above the guide beam, and with two ofthe bearing members shown spaced outwardly from their position on flangesegments provided on the guide beam;

FIG. 17 is a view taken from the same aspect as FIG. 16, but showing thefloor member installed onto the guide beam;

FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along line 18--18of FIG. 17; and

FIG. 19 is a view like FIGS. 11 and 12, but showing the floor memberspaced above the guide beam.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Referring to FIG. 1, this figure shows a first embodiment of theinvention which is adapted for conveying a load that is located insideof a refrigerated compartment. The floor of the compartment may includespace apart floor beams 10, shown in the form of metal I-beams. Woodtimbers 12 may be supported on top of the beams 10, and planks 14 of agood insulative material may be provided between the beams 12. The beams12 are both good insulators and structural support members. The planks14 may be good insulators but not particularly good structural members.This arrangement concentrates the loads of the timbers 12 and the beams10 below the timbers 12 and not on the insulation 14.

In accordance with the invention, the floor comprises a plurality ofsupport beams 16, 18. The support beams 16, 18 are parallel to eachother and they are laterally spaced apart. In this embodiment of theinvention, the floor beam assembly is constructed from a plurality ofextruded sheet metal shapes which are interlocked together to form acontinuous guide beam assembly across the full width of the conveyor. Inthis embodiment of the invention, each shape comprises two full guidebeams 18, and two half portions of guide beams 16. Bottom members 20 areprovided between adjacent guide beams 16, 18 or 18, 18. The bottommembers 20 are formed integral with the guide beams 16, 18. Bottommember 20 and the sidewall portions of the guide beam 16, 18 defineupwardly opening channels between the guide beams 16, 18. As best shownby FIGS. 7-9, the guide beams 18 each comprises a top 22, and sidewalls24. The top 22 includes a pair of oppositely directed flanges 26. Eachflange 26 projects laterally outwardly of the sidewall 24 on each sideof guide beam 18.

In the preferred form, each flange 26 includes a downwardly projectinglock lip 28.

The guide beams 16, 18 are provided with bearing means which provide oneach side of the guide beams 16, 18 a top portion 30, a lower flangeportion 32, a side located web portion 34, and an upwardly directed locklip 36. In preferred form, the bearing means exists in the form of pairsof bearing members, one member for each side of the guide beams 16, 18.Also in preferred form the bearing members are constructed in segmentsand the pairs of bearing members are spaced apart longitudinally of theguide beams 16, 18.

As best shown by FIG. 9, the top portion 30, the bottom flange 32, theside web 34 and the upwardly directed lock lip 36, of each bearingmember, defines an inner space 38. Each inner space 38 is sized tosnugly recieve the outer edge portion of a top flange 26, and itsdownwardly directed lock lip 28.

As shown by FIG. 9, the bearing members can easily be installed bypushing on them to move them laterally inwardly onto a top flangeportion 26 of a guide beam 16, 18. The sloping lower surface of theflange 26 cams the lock lip 36 of the bearing member downwardly. Oncethe lock lip 36 clears lock lip 28, then lock lip 36 snaps up into aspace below flange 26 located inwardly of lock lip 28. The bearingmember lock lip 36 engages the inside of the guide beam flange lock lip28, and holds the bearing member in place on the guide beam 16, 18.

The bearing members may be constructed from a plastic material of a typewhich is in common use for various types of bearings. The material hasan almost oily surface and a quite low coefficient of friction. However,the material is quite tough and can withstand a considerable amount ofload.

As shown by FIGS. 1 and 7, the bearing members mount a floor member 40for back and forth reciprocation on each guide beam 16, 18. Each floormember 40 comprises a top wall 42, a pair of sidewalls 44, and a pair ofinwardly directed flanges 46.[.,.]..Iadd.; .Iaddend.each flange 46 isconnected at its outer edge to the lower edge of a sidewall 44, andprojects inwardly below a bearing flange 32.

In this embodiment the floor members 40 are spaced apart a distancebetween adjacent sidewalls 44 that is less than the width of a floormember 40, but is still substantially large. In the first embodiment,this space 48 permits passage of refrigerated air up from between thefloor members 40. The refrigerated air 50 is blown through the channelsformed by and between the sidewalls of the guide beams 16, 18, and thebottom members 20. The refrigerated air flow lengthwise of thesechannels and then upwardly through the spaces 48. The zone above thefloor members 40 is a closed space and the load setting down on thefloor members 40 is refrigerated by the refrigerated air. The floorinsulation 12, 14 minimizes a downward loss of the refrigeration energythrough the floor of the compartment.

The side portions of the shapes which make up the guide beams 16, 18 andthe bottom members 20, .[.each is.]. .Iadd.are each .Iaddend.in the formof a half guide member 16. As shown by FIGS. 1 and 7, one half of aguide beam 16 on one side of the shape includes an interlock opponent 52which itself includes a longitudinal channel. The half of the guide beam16 which is on the other side of the shape includes an interlockcomponent in the form of a lip 54. The lip 54 snugly fits within thechannel formed in component 52, to secure adjacent shapes together andto complete a guide beam 16.

In the embodiment shown by FIGS. 1 and 7, the shape comprises two guidebeams 18, three bottom members 20, and one of each type of half of aguide beam 16. Of course, in other installations, the number of guidebeams 18 can change. The shape may include only one guide beam 18, or itmay include more than two. Also, the construction of the interlock canvary.

FIGS. 2-6 illustrate the operation of all of the disclosed embodiments.

FIG. 2 shows all the floor members in a retracted position in whichcommon ends are lined at a start station .[.a.]. .Iadd."a".Iaddend.. Theload L is shown centrally positioned on the floor. FIG. 3 shows thefloor members after they have all been advanced together, to move theload L forwardly, and show the opposite ends of the floor membersaligned at a fully advanced position .[.b.]. .Iadd."b".Iaddend.. FIG. 4shows the group "1" floor members being retracted and the groups "2" and"3" floor members held stationary. The load L does not move becausefrictional forces exerted on it by the stationary floor members "2" and"3" are larger than the friction forces exerted on it by the retractingfloor members "1". FIG. 5 shows the next step in the sequence. Theretracted floor members "1" and the still advanced floor members "3" areheld stationary and the floor members "2" are retracted. Again, the loadL does not move. FIG. 6 shows the retracted floor .[.member.]..Iadd.members .Iaddend."1" and "2" stationary and floor members "3"being retracted. Again, the load L does not move. In this example, theload L has moved a distance equal to the endwise movement of the floor,viz .[.a-c.]. .Iadd."a"-"c".Iaddend. or .[.d-b.]..Iadd."d"-"b".Iaddend..

The mechanism for moving the floor members is not a part of the presentinvention. By way of typical and therefore nonlimitive example, suchmechanism may be like the mechanism disclosed by U.S. Pat. No.4,143,760. Or, it can be like the mechanism that is disclosed in mycompanion application Ser. No. 680,356 entitled "Reciprocating FloorConveyor System".

The construction and arrangement of the bearing members, the guide beams16, 18 and the floor members 40 .[.makes.]. .Iadd.make .Iaddend.sealsunnecessary. A space is intentially provided between adjacent sidewalls44 of adjacent floor members 40. Any material which drops down throughthe space 44 is collected in the closed bottom channels formed by thebottom members 20, and the side members 24. In the embodiment shown byFIGS. 1-9, the channels are used for conveying refrigerated air. Theload is a type of load which is intended to stay on top of the floormembers 40, i.e. it is in containers or is material which is too largeto fall down through the spaces 48.

FIG. 10 discloses a second embodiment of the invention. It is a floordesigned to convey particle ice, some of which is shown at 54. In thisembodiment, a space 56 is provided between adjacent floor members 58which is narrower than the ice particles 54. In this embodiment, thechannels formed by and between adjacent guide beams 60 are used tocollect water, resulting from melted ice, and small ice particles, andcarry it out from the region below the mass of particle ice 54 on thefloor members 58.

This embodiment also includes an insulated base 62 below the conveyor.In this embodiment, a relatively thick plank form of insulated material62 is used. As shown, at least some of the guide beam forming shapes 60may be bolted down.

In this embodiment, each shape 60 may comprise a bottom member 64, apair of side members 68, and top portions 70, 72. Except for the extremesides of the conveyor, each top portion 70 may comprise an interlockcomponent 74 of a type which includes a .[.goove.]..Iadd.groove.Iaddend.. Each top portion 72 may include an interlockcomponent which includes a lip 76 sized to fit within the groove. Eachtop portion 70, 72 also includes an outwardly projecting flange 78, 80.

This embodiment may include bearing members like the bearing membersdescribed above in connection with the first embodiment. The bearingmembers and the flanges 78, 80 may be like the bearing members and theflanges described above. Or, the .[.complimentary.]. .Iadd.complementary.Iaddend.lock lips 28, 30 may be omitted. These elements are not shownin FIG. 10.

FIG. 10 shows that at the opposite sides of the floor one of the shapesmay be altered somewhat, and a floor member may be cut and secured toit, to provide a fixed floor member 82, 84 on each side of the conveyor.Each fixed floor member 82, 84 may be secured in place to a top portion70, 72 of a modified shape. A bearing member may be used, but strictlyto provide proper spacing.

FIGS. 11-18 relate to a third embodiment. This embodiment is especiallyconstructed for use in conveying garbage. A floor of this type may bemade quite large in size.

FIG. 13 is a diagram of a use of the floor. This diagram shows the floor86 positioned on an upwardly sloping base structure 88. The basestructure 88 might start at normal ground level and end at a dischargelevel 90 which is spaced above the ground level at an amount sufficientto accommodate a garbage receiving container 92 positioned with its opentop at or below the discharge level 90. FIG. 13 shows a garbage truck 94in the process of depositing garbage 96 onto the floor 86. It shows thefloor 86 carrying the garbage upwardly to the discharge level whereat itfalls down into the container 92.

In other installations, a plurality of floors of this type can be usedfor bringing garbage from different directions to the base of theinclined floor. The floors may be designed so that the garbage truckscan be brought up to one side of the floor and the garbage dumped out ofthe back of the trucks onto the floor. Or, a garbage truck may be backedout onto the floor and is contents dumped directly on the floor.

Referring now to FIGS. 11-14, this embodiment of floor may beconstructed by first securing sheets of plate steel 98 onto a concretebase 100, so that the entire upper surface of the concrete base 100 iscovered by sheet steel. Then, guide beams 102 may be provided which arein the form of metal shapes, i.e. rectangular tubing, which is welded orotherwise secured to the plate material 98. The tops of the members 102are provided with a pair of outwardly projecting flanges 104, one oneach side of each member 102. Flanges .[.102.]. .Iadd.104 .Iaddend.maybe strips of plate material which have been welded to the upper cornerportions of the members 102.

In this embodiment, the floor members may be constructed from lengths ofsteel channel material 106, each of which comprises a pair of flanges108, 110 and a web 112. The open side of the channel is directeddownwardly. The web 112 becomes the top of the floor member 106. Theflanges 108, 110 become the sidewalls of the floor member 106. In thisembodiment, flanges 112, 114 may be welded to the lower inner portionsof the sidewalls 108, 110. Bearing members 116 may be used which aregenerally of the type which have been described above in connection withthe first two embodiments. In this embodiment, the bearing members whichhave been illustrated do not include lock lips.

In this embodiment, the floor members are quite long. To facilitateinstallation and removal of the floor member, flange segments 104, 112,114 are used, instead of full length flanges. Flange segments 112, 114are secured in pairs to the sidewalls 108, 110. Open spaces are providedbetween the segments 112, 114. These open segments are of a length toaccommodate the flange segments 104 which are welded to the members 102.The bearing members 116 are of substantially the same length as theflange members 104.

As shown by FIG. 18, a floor member 106 is installed by positioning itover a guide beam member 102, in a position with the surfaces 118aligned with the bearings 116, and the spaces 120 aligned with theflange segments 112, 114. Then, the floor member 106 is lowered untilits top 112 sits down onto the tops of the bearing members 116. Then,the floor member 106 is moved lengthwise to place the flange segments112 below the bearing members 116. The floor member 106 is then securedto a hydraulic cylinder which drives it lengthwise.

The drive mechanism for the floor shown by FIGS. 11-14 is not a part ofthis invention. It might be a mechanism of a type disclosed anddescribed in the aforementioned U.S. Pat. No. 4,143,760. Or, a separatecylinder may be provided for each floor member 106. Valving may beprovided for continuously advancing a group of three floor members,while retracting a fourth floor member at a faster rate of travel. Aworkable embodiment of this concept is disclosed by my aforementionedcompanion application Ser. No. 680,356 entitled "Reciprocating FloorConveyor System".

Referring to FIG. 14, a space 122 is defined by and between eachadjacent floor member sidewall 108, 110. This space 122 is narrower thanthe width of a floor member 106, but it is substantially large. It islarge enough that the garbage load 96 can fall down into the spaces 122.In this embodiment, the sidewalls 108, 110 are relatively deep. Theouter surfaces of the sidewalls 108, 110 contact the garbage within thespaces 122. Then, in response to movement of a pair of floor members106, the garbage in the space 122 between such floor members 106 ismoved along together with the garbage on top of the floor members 106.This is because the outer surfaces 108, 110 of the floor members 106provide sufficient friction to grab ahold of and move the garbagematerial 96.

Garbage material 96 is generally of such a composition that each part ofit interlocks with an adjacent part. Thus, the moving garbage 96 on topof the floor members 106 will want to move with it the garbage that iswithin the spaces 122. The surface area provided by the outer surfacesof sidewalls 108, 110 enhances the force on the garbage .[.intending.]..Iadd.tending .Iaddend.to move it, or hold it, depending on what thefloor members 106 are doing.

After use, a hose can be used for washing out whatever garbage remainsin the channel regions between the floor members 106. In actualpractice, it was found that the garbage in the spaces 122 is moved alongquite positively and very little remains in the spaces.

Preferably, the tube members 102 are relatively strong lengths of steeltubing. They are welded directly to steel plate material 98 which issecured to the concrete base 100. The channel members 106 are steelmembers. These materials, and the materials used for the bearings 116are all capable of carrying large weights. The spaces 122 between thefloor members 106 are narrower than the tires of the garbage trucks.Thus, the garbage trucks can be driven out onto the floor. In someembodiments, it is highly desirable to make a quite large floor andeither back or drive the garbage truck out onto the floor before dumpingthe garbage on it.

The embodiments which have been described above are represented forillustration and not limitation. I am only to be limited to the wordingin the claims which follow, interpreted in accordance with the rules ofclaim interpretation, including the doctrine of equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A reciprocating floor conveyor, comprising:aplurality of laterally spaced apart support beams, each having oppositeside walls and a top, and said top including a pair of oppositelyextending flanges, each flange projecting laterally outwardly beyond theside wall on a side of the support beam; slide bearing means on saidsupport beams, said slide bearing means including, on each side of eachsupport beam, a top part situated above the support beam, a lower flangepart located below the flange on its side of the support beam, and a webinterconnecting the top part and lower flange part; a separate floormember associated with each said support beam, each floor membercomprising a top, a pair of side walls depending from opposite sideedges of the top, and flange means projecting inwardly from the sidewalls, towards the side walls of the support beams, wherein on each sideof each support beam the top of the floor member rests on the top partof the bearing, the web of the bearing is inwardly contiguous to theside wall of the floor member, and the flange means on the floor memberis located below the lower flange part of the bearing; fixed bottom wallmeans located between the support beams; and an open space defined byand between the adjacent side walls of each adjoining pair of floormembers.
 2. A reciprocating floor conveyor according to claim 1, whereinsaid fixed bottom wall means comprises a bottom member located betweeneach adjacent pair of support beams, and said bottom member is integralwith the adjacent side walls of the two support beams between which itis situated.
 3. A reciprocating floor conveyor according to claim 2,wherein the support beams and the bottom members between the supportbeams are formed by interlocking extruded shapes.
 4. A reciprocatingfloor conveyor according to claim 3, wherein each said .[.extruder.]..Iadd.extruded .Iaddend.shape comprises a bottom member, a first sidewall of a first support beam connected to one side of the bottom member,and a second side wall of a second support beam, connected to theopposite side of the bottom member, at least a portion of the top of thefirst support beam connected to the first side wall, and at least aportion of the top of the second support beam connected to the secondside wall.
 5. A reciprocating floor conveyor according to claim 4,wherein each shape comprises a portion only of the top of the firstsupport beam, formed integrally with the first side wall of the firstsupport beam, including the flange portion of the top on such side ofthe support beam, and a portion only of the top of the second supportbeam, formed integrally with the second side wall of the second supportbeam, and including the top flange on such side of the second supportbeam.
 6. A reciprocating floor conveyor according to claim 5, whereinthe top portion of the first support beam includes one component of aninterlock connection, and the top portion of the second support beamincludes one component of an interlock connection.
 7. A reciprocatingfloor conveyor according to claim 6, wherein the interlock connectioncomponent on the top part of the first support beam is connectable to aninterlock connection component of a type on the top portion of thesecond support beam.
 8. A reciprocating floor conveyor according toclaim 1, wherein the inwardly projecting flange means on the floormembers are flange segments spaced apart along the length of the floormember, and separately by open spaces between the flange segments, andwherein the outwardly projecting flanges on the top of each support beamare flange segments spaced apart along the length of the support beam,and separated by open spaces down through which the flange segments onthe floor members may fit, so that the floor member can be installed byaligning its flange segments with the between flange spaces of thesupport beams, and wherein the floor members have operational positionsin which their inwardly projecting flange segments are positioned belowthe outwardly projecting flange segments of the support beams.
 9. Areciprocating floor conveyor according to claim 1, wherein each supportbeam top flange includes a downwardly projecting lock lip and the lowerflange part of each slide bearing means comprises an upwardly projectinglock lip, positioned such that when the slide bearing means is on thesupport beam the slide bearing means upwardly projecting lock lip islocated inwardly of a support beam top flange lock lip.
 10. Areciprocating floor conveyor according to claim 9, wherein the top part,the web, the lower flange part and the upwardly directed lock lipportions of the slide bearing means together define an inner space, andwherein the top flange of the support beam is configured to snugly fitwithin this inner space.
 11. A reciprocating floor conveyor according toclaim 9, wherein said slide bearing means .[.comprise.]. .Iadd.comprises.Iaddend.separate members on opposite sides of the support beam, eachsaid member having a top part, a web, a lower flange part and a locklip.
 12. A reciprocating floor conveyor according to claim 11, whereinsaid slide bearing means comprises a series of pairs of said bearingmembers spaced longitudinally along the support beam.
 13. Areciprocating floor conveyor according to claim 1, wherein said slidebearing means .[.comprise.]. .Iadd.comprises .Iaddend.separate memberson opposite sides of the support beam, each said member having a toppart, a web, a lower flange part and a lock lip.
 14. A reciprocatingfloor conveyor according to claim 13, wherein said slide bearing meanscomprises a series of pairs of said bearing members spacedlongitudinally along the support beam.
 15. A reciprocating floorconveyor according to claim 1, wherein said fixed bottom means comprisesa bottom member located between each adjacent pair of support beams,wherein the support beams and the bottom members between the supportbeams are formed by interlocking extruded shapes, and wherein each shapeincludes at least one complete support beam between two complete bottomwall members and a portion of a support beam on each of its sides, eachsaid support beam portion including a connector component by which itmay be connected to a support beam portion of an adjacent shape.
 16. Areciprocating floor conveyor according to claim 15, wherein the extrudedshape comprises two complete support beams and three complete bottommembers.
 17. A reciprocating floor conveyor according to claim 1,wherein the fixed bottom wall means comprises a bottom member locatedbetween each adjacent pair of support beams, wherein the support beamsand the bottom members between the support beams are formed byinterlocking extruded shapes, and each said shape includes a firstsupport beam half on one of its side, including a first component of aninterlock connection, and a second support beam half on its oppositeside, including a complementary interlock component, so that theinterlock component on one side of a shape can be interfitted with theinterlock component on an opposite side of an adjacent shape, to connectthe two shapes together and to complete a support beam at theconnection.
 18. A reciprocating floor conveyor according to claim 17,wherein one interlock component comprises a channel and the otherinterlock component comprises a lip sized to fit within said channel.19. A reciprocating floor conveyor according to claim 17, wherein eachsaid shape comprises a support beam half on each of its sides and abottom member extending between and interconnecting said support beamhalves.
 20. A reciprocating floor conveyor according to claim 17,wherein each said shape comprises at least one complete support beamflanked by two channels, each of which is formed by a side of thesupport beam, a bottom member and an adjoining support beam side.
 21. Areciprocating floor conveyor according to claim 1, wherein said fixedbottom wall means comprises a floor constructed from metal platematerial on a base, and wherein the support beams comprise lengths ofmetal shapes which are spaced apart and fixed in position on the metalplate material and which extend upwardly from the metal plate material.22. A reciprocating floor conveyor according to claim 21, wherein thesupport beams are lengths of rectangular metal tubing welded to theplate material.
 23. A reciprocating floor conveyor according to claim21, wherein the oppositely extending flanges on the support beams areformed from metal members welded to the tops of the shapes.
 24. Areciprocating floor conveyor according to claim 23, wherein the inwardlyprojecting flange means on the floor members are flange segments spacedapart along the length of the floor member, and separated by open spacesbetween the flange segments and wherein the outwardly projecting flangesof the top of each support beam are flange segments spaced apart alongthe length of the support beam, and separated by open spaces downthrough which the flange segments on the floor members may fit, so thatthe floor member can be installed by aligning its flange segments withthe between flange spaces of the support beams, and wherein the floormembers have operational positions in which their inwardly projectingflange segments are positioned below the outwardly projecting flangesegments of the support beams.
 25. A reciprocating floor conveyoraccording to claim 1, wherein the floor members are downwardly openingmetal channel members, and wherein the flange means on said floormembers are formed by metal members connected to inside lower portionsof the side walls of the channel members.
 26. A reciprocating floorconveyor according to claim 21, wherein said base is a slab of concrete.27. A reciprocating floor conveyor according to claim 1, wherein thesupport beams and the bottom wall means located between the supportbeams are secured to a heat insulated base, so that refrigerated air canbe directed into spaces between the support beams and the heat insulatedbase will minimize a downward loss of refrigeration energy.
 28. Areciprocating floor conveyor according to claim 1, wherein the supportbeams and the bottom wall means located between the support beams aresecured to a heat insulated base, said floor members being supportedwith the side walls of adjacent floor members relatively close together,so that the conveyor can be used for conveying ice particles, the mostof which are the size larger than the spaces between the adjacent floormembers, and wherein the side walls of adjacent support beams and thefixed bottom wall means located therebetween together define acollection channel for small ice particles and water.
 29. Areciprocating floor conveyor according to claim 1, wherein adjacentfloor members are positioned so that a space is defined between theadjacent side walls of said floor members which will receive materialthat is being conveyed by the conveyor, and wherein the said adjacentside walls of the floor members extend downwardly a substantial distancewithin said space and have outer side surfaces of substantial area, sothat said side surfaces will contact material in the space andfrictionally engage said material and move it together with the materialon top of the adjacent floor members, when said floor members are beingadvanced together.
 30. A reciprocating floor conveyor according to claim29, wherein the bottom wall means is set onto a base which can carry theweight of a truck, and the floor members, the support beams and theslide bearing means can support the weight of a truck, and wherein thespaces that are defined by and between adjacent side walls of the floormembers are narrower than the tires of the truck, so that the truck canbe driven out onto the reciprocating floor conveyor.
 31. A method ofhandling garbage at a transfer station, comprising:providing a basestructure leading to a discharge level; positioning a container forreceiving garbage with its top below the discharge level; providing onsaid base structure a plurality of spaced apart parallel support beams,each having opposite side walls and a top, and flanges projectinglaterally outwardly in opposite directions from the top; providing slidebearing means on said support beam of a type including a top partsituated above the support beam, a lower flange part located below theflange on its side of the support beam, and a web interconnecting thetop part and the lower flange part; providing a floor member on eachsupport beam of a type comprising a top wall which rests on the top ofthe bearing, a pair of side walls which depend downwardly from theopposite side edges of the top of the floor member, and flange meanswhich project inwardly from the side walls of the floor member, belowthe lower portions of the bearing means, towards the side walls of thesupport beams; spacing the floor members apart a distance that willallow garbage placed on the floor members to fall between adjacent floormembers; dumping garbage onto the floor members; and moving the floormembers to advance the garbage to the container.
 32. A method accordingto claim 31, comprising spacing the floor members apart a distance lessthan the width of the tires of a garbage truck,using materials for thesupport beams, the floor members and the slide bearing means which cancarry the weight of a garbage truck, and driving the garbage truck outonto the floor members and then dumping garbage from the truck onto thefloor members.
 33. A method according to claim 31, comprising providingan upwardly sloping base structure with the discharge level at its upperend, and moving the floor members to advance the garbage up the basestructure to the discharge level, and from the discharge level into thecontainer.
 34. A method of conveying particle ice, comprising:providingan insulated base structure; providing on said base structure aplurality of spaced apart, parallel support beams, each having oppositeside walls and a top, and flanges projecting laterally outwardly inopposite directions from the top; providing bottom members in the spacesbetween adjacent support beams, connected to the side walls of thesupport beams to define channels between the support beams; providingslide bearing means on said support beams of a type including a top partsituated above the support beam, a lower flange part located below theflange on its side of the support beam, and a web interconnecting thetop part and the lower flange part; providing a floor member on eachsupport beam of a type comprising a top wall which rests on the top ofthe bearing, a pair of side walls which depend downwardly from theopposite side edges of the top floor member, and flange means whichproject inwardly from the side walls of the floor member, below thelower portions of the bearing means, towards the side walls of thesupport beams; spacing the floor members apart a distance less than thesize of most of the ice particles to be conveyed, so that such iceparticles will not fall through the space between the floor members;placing particle ice onto said floor members; moving the floor membersto advance the particle ice; and using the channels to collect small iceparticles and water from melted ice and carry it away from below theparticle ice that is on the floor members.
 35. A method of conveying aproduct that is in a refrigerated space, comprising:providing aninsulated base structure for said space; providing on said basestructure a plurality of spaced apart, parallel support beams, eachhaving opposite side walls and a top, and flanges projecting laterallyoutwardly in opposite directions from the top; providing slide bearingmeans on said support beams of a type including a top part situatedabove the support beam, a lower flange part located below the flange oneach side of the support beam, and a web interconnecting the top partand the lower flange part; providing a floor member on each support beamof a type comprising a top wall which rests on the top of the bearing, apair of side walls which depend downwardly from the opposite side edgesof the top of the floor member, and flange means which project inwardlyfrom the side walls of the floor members, below the lower portions ofthe bearing means, towards the side walls of the support beams; spacingthe floor members laterally apart to provide a substantial space betweenadjacent floor members; placing a load on the floor members; moving thefloor members to advance the load towards one end of the space; andrefrigerating the space, at least by circulating .[.refigerated.]..Iadd.refrigerated .Iaddend.air through the spaces between adjacentfloor members. .Iadd.36. A reciprocating floor conveyor for movinggarbage or a like material, comprising: a plurality of laterally spacedapart support beams; a plurality of slide bearings on said supportbeams, each said slide bearing including a top part situated above itssupport beam; a plurality of floor members, said floor members beingmounted on said support beams, each floor member comprising a top and apair of sidewalls depending from opposite side edges of the top, whereinthe tops of the floor members rest on the top parts of the slidebearings; said support beams and said slide bearings supporting thefloor members for movement in one direction to convey the material, andindividual retraction in the opposite direction, a bottom wall portionbetween adjacent support beams; an open channel space defined above thebottom wall portion, and by and between adjacent sidewalls of adjacentpairs of floor members, each open channel space being closed at itsbottom; and each said open channel space being wide enough to allow thematerial being conveyed to enter into it and being narrow enough so thatthe material in the open channel space will be moved by contact with thesidewalls of the floor members bounding the space during movement of thefloor members in the material-conveying direction. .Iaddend. .Iadd.37. Areciprocating floor conveyor according to claim 36, wherein said supportbeams each include a sidewall portion and said bottom wall portioncomprises a bottom member located between an adjacent pair of supportbeams, and said bottom member is integral with the adjacent sidewallportions of the two support beams between which it is situated..Iaddend. .Iadd.38. A reciprocating floor conveyor according to claim36, further comprising sidewall portions extending upwardly from thebottom wall portion, each said sidewall portion located outwardly fromsaid floor member sidewalls relative to said open channel space, andinwardly from said floor member sidewalls relative to said floor member..Iaddend. .Iadd.39. A reciprocating floor conveyor according to claim36, wherein each said floor member is mounted on a separate singlesupport beam. .Iaddend. .Iadd.40. A reciprocating floor conveyor,comprising:a plurality of laterally spaced apart support beams, eachhaving side portions and a top; slide bearing means on said supportbeams; a plurality of floor members supported on said slide bearings andsupport beams for longitudinal back and forth movement, each said floormember comprising a top and a pair of sidewalls depending from oppositeside edges of the top; and liquid-collecting channels between said floormembers, each said channel including a bottom and a pair of sidewalls,each sidewall projecting upwardly from the bottom into a positioninwardly adjacent a sidewall of a floor member. .Iaddend. .Iadd.41. Areciprocating floor conveyor according to claim 40, wherein saidsidewalls of said channels form side portions of said support beams..Iaddend. .Iadd.42. A reciprocating floor conveyor according to claim41, wherein a support beam and liquid-collecting channel is a singleintegrally formed piece. .Iaddend. .Iadd.43. A reciprocating floorconveyor according to claim 40, wherein a pair of laterally spaced apartslide bearings is on each said support beam, each said slide bearingincluding a top portion and a downwardly extending side portion..Iaddend. .Iadd.44. A reciprocating floor conveyor according to claim40, wherein each said floor member is supported on a separate singlesupport beam. .Iaddend.